Tato sága sleduje osudy Guye Crouchbacka, muže toužícího po vojenské cti a akci během druhé světové války. Série se ponořuje do absurdních situací a byrokracie armády, kde se hrdinství často střetává s malicherností a neúspěchem. Skrze jeho zkušenosti, od afrických pobřežních operací po britské velitelství, série mistrně zobrazuje střet ideálů s válečnou realitou. Nabízí satirický a zároveň pronikavý pohled na životy důstojníků v době konfliktu.
Guy Crouchback, determined to get into the war, takes a commission in the Royal Corps of Halberdiers. His spirits high, he sees all the trimmings but none of the action. And his first campaign, an abortive affair on the West African coastline, ends with an escapade which seriously blots his Halberdier copybook. schovat popis
Fueled by idealism and eagerness to contribute to the war effort, Guy Crouchback becomes attached to a commando unit undergoing training on the Hebridean isle of Mugg, where the whisky flows freely and respect must be paid to the laird. But the comedy of Mugg is soon followed by the bitterness of Crete, where chaos reigns and a difficult evacuation must be accomplished. Officers and Gentlemen is the second novel in Waugh's brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy recording the tumultuous wartime adventures of Guy Crouchback, which also comprises Men at Arms and Unconditional Surrender.
Third of World War II trilogy. M̀en of arms' 30 LP I/S; Òfficers and gentlemen' 15 I/S; Ùnconditonal surrender' 1 I/S. Rev ed. incorporating all these works as a whole under title S̀word of honour' 8 I/S.
Guy Crouchback, a Catholic and a gentleman is commissioned into the Royal Corps of Halberdiers during the war years 1939-45. High comedy - in the company of Brigadier Ritchie-Hook or the denizens of Bellamy's Club - is only part of the shambles of his war. When action comes in Crete and in Yugoslavia, he discovers not heroism, but humanity.
The story of Guy Crouchback, whose career as an officer in the royal corps of Halberdiers is chequered and strewn with blunders and botched encounters. It is also rich in such indelibly funny characters as Colonel Ritchie-Hook and Apthorpe.